Tings



(No Model.)

A. H. HASTINGS. KEY BOTTOM SUPPORT.

No. 448,033. Patented Mar. 10,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, AZARIAII HORACE HASTINGS, OF NEKV YORK, N. Y.

KEY-BOTTOM SU PPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,033, dated March 10, 1891.

Application filed August 22. 1890. Serial No. 362,720. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AZARIAH HORACE Has- TINGS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key- Bottom Supports, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metal supports for the wooden key-bottoms of upright and grand pianos, and has for its object the production of a light inexpensive support of such construction that the warping or displacement of said key-bottoms and consequent derangement of the action and touch will be pre vented.

To this end my invention consists in a metal support for the wooden key-bottoms of pianos, consisting of a front rail and one or more cross-supp0rts, as hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, in the several figures of which like parts are designated by similar figures of reference, Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of my improvement attached to the wooden key-bottom. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the metal support detached. Fig. 3 is a like View showing the addition of a back rail. Fig. 4 is a section on the linens m, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a rear view of my invention showing the trap-levers and lyre in position.

My improved metal support consists of a skeleton frame composed of a front rail 1, preferably provided on both its upper and lower surfaces with the longitudinal strengthening bars or ribs 2 3 and has cast integral with it one or more cross-supports 4;. I prefer to use but a single central cross-support; but more may be employed, if desired, and they may be as numerous as the stiles orcrosspieces on the Wooden key-bottom. These sup ports 4 I prefer to provide with the top and bottom strengthening bars or ribs 6. Ordinarily there will be no occasion to provide a support for the back of the wooden key-bottom as it is usually secured to the metal string-frame or solid blocking of the case; but where desirable I cast integral with the front rail 1 and cross-supports t a back rail 7 of the same construction as the front rail 1.

To the front rail 1 or to the central crosssupport 4; I cast an eye, perforated lug, or other means for fastening the spring for retaining the lower panel of the piano-case-, and at the back of said central cross-support or to the back rail I cast the lugs 8, which are arranged in pairs and properly drilled to receive dowels or pins to afford a support for the lyre or pedal attachment. lVhen more than one cross-support or when a back rail is used, I cast with said cross-supports or with the said back rail, as may be preferred, the lugs 9, cast at a slight angle and arranged and combined in the same manner as lugs S, which said lugs 0 afford a support for the traplevers connecting the pedal attachment with the pedal mechanism. The support is screwed to the wooden key-bottom through screwholes 10.

It will be noticed that by my improved metal support for the wooden key-bottoms of piano-fortes I provide a'support which an swers every purpose and performs all the functions of the solid metal key-bottoms and supports now in use with the advantage of being much lighter and more simple and economical in construction than devices for analogous use now on the market.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a metal support for the key-bottoms of piano-fortes, a front rail and a central crosssupport, substantially as specified.

2. In a metal support for the key-bottoms of piano-fortes, a front rail and a central cross-support, and means for retaining the spring for holding the under panel of the case cast integral therewith, substantially as specified.

In a metal support for the key-bottoms of piano-fortes, a front rail and a central cross'support, both provided with strengthening ribs or projections, and means for retaining the spring for holding the under panel of the case cast integral therewith, substarr tially as specified.

4.. In a metal key-bottom support for pianofortes, a skeleton frame conforming to the wooden key-bottom to which it is attached, substantially as specified.

5. In a metal key-bottom support forpianofortcs, front and back rails connected by one to for retaining the spring for holding the under panel of the case, the pedal attachment and the trapdevers formed in one piece, substantially as described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 21st day 15 of August, A. D. 1890.

AZARIAH HORACE HASTINGS. Witnesses:

FREDERIC OANAGAN, EUGENE V. MYERS. 

